Progressive drawer suspension



July 17, 1951 c. F. WOLTERS PROGRESSIVE DRAWER SUSPENSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1946 b ww Kw INVENTOR TTORNEY N M b J iy 17, 1951 c. F. WOLTERS PROGRESSIVE DRAWER SUSPENSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1946 Patented July 17, 1951 FEQGRESSIVE DRAWER SUSPENSION Carl F. Welters, New Canaan, Conn, assignorto Reming on Band Ina, Buffalo, N- .Y a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1946, Serial No. 717,760

3 Claims. i

This invention relates to a progressive drawer suspension for correspondence filing cabinets.

The invention provides a drawer suspension for easier operation of a drawer between open and closed positions in-a filing cabinet and at the same time, provides for positive feed of the intermediate slide; .a drawer suspension having a progressive teed roller rotatably mounted on an eccentric freely rotatable on the intermediate slide providing for use of a ball bearing roller structure for securing easier and more uniform operation of the-intermediate slide; a drawer suspension wherein a plurality of ball bearings spaced longitudinally relative to one another are retained in longitudinal spaced relation against normal detachment from the intermediate slide by a suitable ball retainer; and a drawer suspension wherein the :ball bearings are arranged in the central portion of the intermediate slide for hearing engagement between the top side of the drawer track and a pressure track located in the central portion of the intermediate slide, particularly designed to provide for direct load transmission irom the drawer through the pressure track to the intermediate and case slides and secure a uniform progressive operation of the intermediate slide by the eccentric mounted proressive feed-roller.

In the drawin s;

Fig. 1 shows a fragmentary view of one drawer compartment of a filing cabinet looking at the side wall in side elevation from the inside and showing adrawer suspension in elevation supporting ,a drawer in open position as shown in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 looking at the drawer suspension from the inside with portions brolrenaway and shown in cross section and illusratingth fi de members inthe position occupied when t e d awer is closed.

Fig. 3 shows the drawer, intermediate and case slides .of the drawer suspension in disengaged relation in perspective looking from a position in front or and at the inside of said slides.

Fig, 4 is a cross'section taken on line 4 4 of Fig- 5 S H955 section taken on line 5- 5 of Fig. 2.

Fi .6 a cross section taken on line 5-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary inside elevation of the center portion of the intermediate slide illustrating the structure and mounting of the ec ric and ball b arin progressive feed roller carri d thereby.

Fig. 8 shows the ballretainer and the ball bearings carried thereby in perspective looking from the outer side.

Afiling cabinet of conventional construction is illustrated at l in Figs. 1 and 2, while a drawer is shown in dot anddash lines at 2. Fig. 1 illustrates only a portion of a filing cabinet for cor= respondence usually constructed to contain one or more drawers that are normally mounted for sliding movement from a fully closed position in the cabinet to a substantially fully open position to provide access to the entire contents of the drawer fromthe front tothe-rear thereof. These two positions of the drawer are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in .connecion with the illustration of the new drawer suspension'prov idedby this invention.

The invention provides a drawer suspension having two sets of case, intermediate and drawer slides interengaged with one another and formed in an opposite manner in accordance with the usual practice in the art. Only one set of slides used at one side of a drawer is shown, it being understood that an oppositely formed. set is used at the .opposite side of the drawer in the customaryman-ner.

The present drawer suspension provides case slide 3 formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal to provide supporting section 4 formed at spaced intervals with supporting ears 5 struck out of supporting section .4 and adapted to be interengaged with vertical supports on the side wall of cabinet I in a manner well known in the art. Case slide 3 has upper and lower tracks 5 and 5 extending laterally to one side of supporting section 4 along opposite edges thereof throughout the length of the case slide in spaced parallel relation, as clearly shown in Figs. '3 to 6 inclusive. A stop flange t is formed on the rear end of sup porting section 4 in laterally extending relation to limit the rearward movement of the drawer and intermediate drawer slides supported by the case slide.

A drawer slide 9 formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal is adapted to be mounted on the side wall of drawer 2 in the desired position to properly support the drawer for movement into and out of the cabinet. Drawer slide 9 is formed with a laterally extending flange providing a drawer track l0 throughout the length of the drawer slide. Drawer slide 9 is arranged so that in the proper 'locationof the drawer in the cabinet, drawer track it will extend about midway between upper and lowercase slide tracks 6 and '5 respectively, in substantially parallel relation.

The outer edge of drawer track HI is provided with 3 a depending flange II, Fig. 1, formed at one end to provide stop shoulder I2.

An intermediate slide I3 has upper and lower laterally extending flanges I4 and I5 extending laterally from the central portion of the sheet metal strip forming said slide. The intermediate slide is arranged within case slide 3 with upper and lower flanges I4 and I5 between case slide tracks 6 and I and on opposite sides of drawer track ID in the manner shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive. The central portion of intermediate slide I3 is located in adjacent and spaced relation to supporting section 4 of case slide 3, as shown in Fig. 4. The free edges of upper and lower flanges I4 and I5 are formed with inturned flanges I6 and I1 respectively, in spaced parallel relation to the central portion of intermediate slide I3. Flanges I6 and I! are also in aligned co-planar relation.

The ball bearing roller I8 is mounted between the central portion of slide I3 and flange I1 at the lower side of intermediate slide I3 with the lower portion of the periphery of roller I8 projecting through a slot in lower flange I5. The rear lower ball bearing roller I9 is similarly mounted between inturned flange I l and the central portion of intermediate slide It so that the lower portion of its periphery will project through a slot in lower flange I5. Both ball bearing rollers I8 and I9 at the front and rear ends of the intermediate slide I3 are adapted to have their peripheries ride on the upper face of lower track 1 of case slide 3 in the operation of the drawer suspension. An upper rear ball bearing roller 20 is mounted between inturned flange I6 and the upper central portion of intermediate slide I3 at the upper rear end thereof so that the upper portion of its periphery can project upwardly through an opening in upper flange I4 for engagement with the lower side of upper track 6 on case slide 3.

A central bearing member for distributing the weight from the drawer slide to the intermediate slide is provided in the manner indicated by numeral 2I. This central bearing member includes a pressure track 22 having a sheet metal strip formed into U-shape in cross section, as shown in Fig. 4, to provide a top flange 23 and a bottom track flange 24. Top flange 23 is seated against the under side of upper flange I4 on intermediate slide I3 while bottom track flange 24 provides an intermediate track member on intermediate slide I3 arranged in opposed relation to the upper side of drawer track I 0. Pressure track 22 is spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to intermediate slide I 3. A plurality of longitudinally spaced ball bearings 25 are engaged between track flange 24 and drawer track Ill to provide a rolling bearing contact between drawer slide 9 and intermediate slide I3 for transmitting the weight from the central and rear end portion of drawer slide 9 to intermediate slide I3. Ball bearings 25 form part of the central bearing member 2 I.

A ball retainer 26 is provided to support and hold the balls in their spaced relation against normal detachment from the retainer. Ball retainer 26 is provided with a hook 21 formed to engage over bottom track flange 24, in the manner shown in Fig. 4, for suspending ball bearings 25 from pressure track 22. Inturned flange I6 on intermediate slide I3 normally prevents detachment of hook 21 of ball retainer 26 from bottom track flange 24 except by endwise movement of the ball retainer outwardly through one 4 end of intermediate slide I3. At the same time ball retainer 26 does not interfere with the free operation of ball bearings 25 and movement of the drawer into and out of its compartment in the cabinet.

A progressive feed roller 23 is rotatably mounted through ball bearings on eccentric 29. Eccentric 29 is formed with a ball race on its periphery for mounting roller 28 and also has an eccentric mounting on shaft 30 extending between inturned flange I1 and the central strip portion of intermediate slide I3. Shaft 32 is mounted in parallel spaced relation above lower flange I5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Lower flange i5 is formed with an opening for the lower portion of the periphery of progressive feed roller 28 to project below intermediate slide I 3 and engage and rideon the upper side of lower track I of case slide 3.

Eccentric 29 provides an eccentric mounting for progressive feed roller '28 about shaft 30 so that the periphery of progressive feed roller 28 may freely engage between the lower side of drawer track Ill and the upper side of lower case slide track '1 without respect to the position of intermediate slide I3. This provides for the application of the weight in the drawer through drawer track It bearing roller I8 and progressive feed roller 28 so that progressive feed roller 28 will cooperate with ball bearing 25 and pressure track 22 forming the central bearing member 21 to grip drawer track I 6 therebetween and provide for the positive feeding of intermediate slide I3 at about half the speed and distance as drawer guide 9 travels in movement between open and closed positions. This provides for the positive progressive feeding of intermediate slide I 3 in progressive relation to the drawer guide. By mounting progressive feed roller 28 on eccentric 29 provision is made for ball bearing mounting and operation of feed roller 28 to materially reduce the coeficient of friction as compared with previous methods of mounting a central feed roller in a progressive type drawer suspension. In addition, considerably greater ease of operation of the drawer suspension is obtained through the provision of pressure track 22 and ball bearings 25 in longitudinally spaced relation because of the wide distribution of the weight of the drawer through the ball bearings to bottom track flange 24 of pressure track 22 to intermediate slide I3. The cooperation provided between ball bearings 25 and progressive feed roller 28 in cooperation with the track on the drawer, intermediate and case slide provides for reduction in the amount of force required to operate a drawer in movement between open and closed positions and materially increases the life of the drawer suspension by distributing the wear on the tracks over a greater area and thereby provides an improved drawer suspension. The eccentric mounting 29 for feed roller 28 also secures more uniform operation of the intermediate slide and materially improves the operation of the drawer suspension.

Opposite ends of bottom track flange 24 are turned upwardly, as shown at 3|, to normally prevent detachment of ball retainer 25 from pressure track 22. Suitable stop mechanism is provided for limiting the forward movement of the drawer and drawer suspension mechanism for normally preventing complete detachment of the drawer from the drawer suspension. Thisv includes a front stop 32 detachably mounted on the front end of upper track 6 of case slide 3 with a projection extending through an opening in traclg 5 below the lower side.v thereof, as cleartion shown in Fig. 1. Front stop .32 is detachablymounted on case slide 3 so that the drawer guide mechanism may be disassembled.

I Intermediate slide it carries a pivoted front drawer slide-stop 3% in the front end portion thereof having the .upper end indicated at 35 aligned with stop shoulder E on drawer slide 9, soit-hatshoulder it will engage upper end 35 of pivoted drawer stop ti l and limit the forward movement ofthe drawer outwardly of the cabinet. Pivoted front drawer stop 3 has finger piece 36 extending through an opening in lower flange [5 of intermediate slide it so" that stop '34 may be moved on its pivot to move upper end 35 outof alignment with istop'shoulder 132 when it ;is desired to disengage drawer slide 9 :from intermediate slide it. This provides for manual opcration oi front drawer stop its on intermediate slide 13 so that the drawer may be readily removed from the cabinet whenever desired. This construction also provides for the convenient replacement of the drawer withits drawerslide in the assembled drawer suspension mechanism for normal operation of the drawer between its open and closed positions in the cabinet.

It will be noted that all of the bearing members are assembled on intermediate slide it. To assemble this slide into operating position for supporting a drawer in a cabinet, case slide 3 is first mounted in the cabinet. Then, intermediate slide It with ball retainer 255 and ball bearings 25 mounted on pressure track 22 secured to intermediate slide l3 may be engaged in its operative position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with case slide 3. Front stop 32 is then applied to case slide 5 to retain intermediate slide l3 against detachment. Drawer slide 9 having been permanently secured to the sides of drawer 2, may then be engaged with assembled intermediate and case slides it and 3 respectively, by engaging the rear end of drawer slide 9 with drawer track iii riding on top of front ball bearing rollers [8, then under ball bearings 25 and on top of progressive feed roller 28 in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Depending flange M will engage upper end 35 of pivoted front drawer stop {it to move it about its pivot during engagement of drawer slide 9 in intermediate slide it. When shoulder l2 moves past stop 3d, the stop will drop into its operative position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Then, drawer 2 may be moved from the fully extended position shown in Fig. 1 to its housed position within the cabinet as shown in Fig. 2, where drawer slide 9 and intermediate slide l3 are fully engaged within ease slide 3.

Progressive feed roller 28 provides for positive progressive feeding of intermediate slide l3 as drawer 2 is moved toward closed position through the operation of drawer slide it riding on the periphery thereof. Pressure track 22 may be hardened to lengthen the wearing life thereof.

The present drawer suspension provides a minimum of friction through complete roller bearing contact betwen all movable parts of the drawer suspension structure. The central portion of the drawer suspension is constructed to distribute wear over a large area to provide for lengthening the operating life of the drawer suspension with ment. It, will be understood that byv manually engaging-finger 36' on pivoted front drawer stop 31', it may be rotated so that drawer slide 9 may b disengaged from intermediate slide it whenever it is desired to remove the drawer from the cabinet.

The invention claimed is:

l. Ina drawer suspension having a case slide provided with upper and lower spaced parallel tracks a drawer slide having a track between said case slide tracks in substantially parallel relation, an intermedia slide hav g upper a lower flanges between said case slide tracks. on opposite sides of said drawer track, a roller hearing on the iront end of said intermediate slide iorsupporting the front end of said drawer track, roller bearings on the rear end of said intermediate slide for rolling engagement between said upper and lower case slide tracks, and a central bearing member on the central portion of said intermediate slide to engage the upper face of the rear end of said drawer track, the combination of an intermediate track on the upper oentnal portion of said intermediate slide engaging the underside of the upper flange of said intermediate slide and having a spaced parallel track flange, a plurality of longitudinally spaced ball bearings having travelling engagement between said drawer and track flange of said intermediate tracks, a ball retainer for normally retaining said ball bearings in said spaced relation, 2. progressive feed roller having rolling engagement between the lower side of said drawer track and said lower case slide track, and an eccentric rotatable on said intermediate slide rotatably carrying said progressive feed roller for movement relative to said intermediate slide for cooperation with said ball bearings to grip said drawer track therebetween and feed said intermediate slide at a reduced proportionate rate to said drawer slide in movement of said drawer slide relative to said case slide.

2. In a drawer suspension having a case slide provided with upper and lower spaced parallel tracks, a drawer slide having a track between said case slide tracks in substantially parallel relation, an intermediate slide having upper and lower flanges between said case slide tracks on opposite sides of said drawer track, a roller bearing on the front end of said intermediate slide for supporting the front end of said drawer track, and roller bearings on the rear end of said intermediate slide for supporting said intermediate slide for rolling engagement between said upper and lower case slide tracks, the combination of a pressure track mounted in the central portion of said intermediate slide above said drawer track, seated against the underside of the upper flange on said intermediate slide and having a track portion in spaced. parallel relation thereto, a plurality of longitudinally spaced roller bearings having rolling engagement between said track portion of said pressure track and the upper side of said drawer track, means retaining said roller bearings in spaced relation detachably connected to said pressure track, a progressive feed roller having rolling engagement between the lower side of said drawer track and said lower case slide track, and an eccentric rotatable on said intermediate slide, rotatably mounting said progressive feed roller for relative movement to said intermediate slide, said progressive feed roller cooperating with said roller bearings to grip said drawer guide therebetween and feed less effort required to secure its normal movesaid intermediate slide at a reduced proportionate rate to said drawer slide in movement of said drawer slide relative to said case slide. 3. In a drawer suspension havinga case slide provided with upper and lower spaced parallel tracks, a drawer slide having a track between said case slide tracks in substantially parallel relation, an intermediate slide having upper and lower flanges between said case slide tracks on opposite sides of said drawer track, a roller bearing on the front end of said intermediate slide for supporting the front end of said drawer track, and roller bearings on the rear end of said intermediate slide for supporting said intermediate slide for rolling engagement between said upper and lower case slide tracks, the combination of a pressure track having a top flange seated against the underside of the upper flange on the intermediate portion of said intermediate slide and a bottom track flange in spaced parallel relation to said top flange joined thereto by a connecting strip portion on one side, a plurality of ball bearings in longitudinally spaced relation having bearing engagement between said track flange and the upper side of said drawer track, a ball retainer suspended from said pressure track for normally holding said balls in said spaced relation and disengagement from said pressure track, a progressive feed roller having rolling engagement between the lower side of said drawer track and said lower case slide track, and an eccentric rotatable on said intermediate slide rotatably mounting said progressive feed roller for relative movement to said intermediate slide, said progressive feed roller cooperating with said, ball bearings to grip said drawer track therebetween and feed said intermediate slide at a reduced proportionate rate to said drawer slide in movement of said drawer slide relative to said case slide.

CARL F. WOLTERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,705,571 Jones Mar. 19, 1929 1,938,908 Hunter Dec. 12, 1933 2,031,251 Clark Feb. 18, 1936 2,095,487 Bullock et a1 Oct. 12, 1937 2,157,611 Jones et a1 May 9, 1939 2,376,121 Clark May 15, 1945 2,386,757 Straubel Oct. 16, 1945 

